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National Numismatic Collection

Online Exhibitions

Where Money and History MeetLearn more about the National Numismatic Collection (NNC) through online exhibitions about topics such as: Byzantium; the coinage of Spain; he Double Eagle; life in Ancient Greece; the Coins of the Demareteion Master; outstanding U.S. rarities; Russian coins and medals; Native Americans, women, and African–Americans on early United States bank notes; and the evolution of American money.

Legendary Coins & CurrencyThis exhibition explores rare and historically significant artifacts from the National Numismatic Collection—more than half of which have never been on view, or not for many years. Coins, bills, medals, and captivating oddities—such as pattern designs, fake coins, and homemade clam shell money from the Great Depression—are on display.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination (TEN D.) U.S. Mint engraver Christian Gobrecht altered his Liberty head slightly in mid-1839. Previously, the Liberty's head had been tilted slightly forward. After that, the head was completely vertical: Liberty looks straight ahead rather than slightly down. Thus amended, the Gobrecht designs graced the eagle for the remainder of the 19th century and the first few years of the 20th. This single proof eagle is the only one known for the year 1840.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination (FIVE D.). Artist Christian Gobrecht redesigned the half eagle in 1839. His concepts were retained all the way down to 1908, with only minor changes. This is one of only two proofs known.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination (2 ½ D.). The quarter eagle carried the William Kneass designs a year longer than the half, but in 1840 a new Liberty head made its debut, another of Christian Gobrecht's concepts. It was tidy and serviceable, and it held the stage for nearly seventy years. A few proofs are also known from this first year of coining. This is one of three proofs that have been documented.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. This coin is the sole known proof for this year in this denomination.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. This coin is one of two proof half eagles known for 1841; a third has been reported but its existence remains unconfirmed.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. Only proof quarter eagles were minted in 1841, and the coins have been recognized as rarities for nearly a century. This is one of eleven specimens that have been confirmed. Oddly enough, most entered circulation and only later were recognized as rarities.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. Beyond this specimen, one other is rumored to exist, but that rumor remains unconfirmed.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. This is one of three proofs known, two of them impaired. This Smithsonian specimen is the only 1842 proof quarter eagle in pristine condition.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. Three proof 1844 eagles, including this one, are recorded. One of the others is part of a set.